NATIONAL TOUR SPRING 2010
Boy with a Suitcase by Mike Kenny is the story of a 12 year old war refugee, who undertakes a long and dangerous journey to find asylum in Ireland. He carries with him only a small suitcase and a treasure of stories from his childhood.
Like his hero, Sinbad the Sailor, who undertook many perilous voyages in search of his fortune, Naz must travel half-way around the world to reach the safety of his brother in Dublin. Naz teams up with Krysia, a young girl in similar circumstances, who helps him dodge soldiers and find safe passage over mountains, across seas and through the mire of a city slum. With the help of Krysia and his stories, Naz finds his way to Dublin and his brother. But is it the ‘heaven on earth’ that he expects….?
A ripping yarn of adventure and stories, Naz’s journey also throws a spotlight on the real dangers faced by children in other parts of the world, beyond the relative security of life in Ireland. You’d imagine there’s not much room for laughter in this production but writer Mike Kenny has elevated this story with humour and spirit. And Carol Betera (nominated for Irish Times Theatre Award, Best Set Designer, 2008) has produced an innovative and stunning set which transports us seamlessly on an exciting voyage from refugee camp, to mountain escape, to city slum, to sea journey and on to safety. Ben Samuels, on-stage musician and composer, has created a multi-layered live music-scape.
‘It deserves to be seen by a wider audience.’ Derek West, Irish Theatre Magazine
‘Theatre at its best.’ Kilkenny People
Reviews of Silly Bits of Sky 2007 & The Bus 2008
The Barnstorm Company is one of the best things in Irish Theatre. The Irish Mail on Sunday
Using drama to air some of the complexities of children’s lives is what Barnstorm Theatre Company does best…The Irish Times
… the capacity to show an audience something of their lives without telling them how to live it - is an impressive achievement. Irish Theatre Magazine
You will be hard pressed to find a more energise and boisterously funny show for children this year. The Irish Times
The Author
Mike Kenny is a teacher, a parent, an actor and an award-winning playwright.
From his early days as an actor with Leeds Playhouse Theatre-in-Education, Mike has been dedicated to working for and with children. A trained teacher, he stayed at home to educate his own son when he became school-phobic at the age of seven. Over the last 15 years he has been involved teaching on a radical alternative youth education programme based on the work of Rudolf Steiner and Ivan Illych. He has written in excess of 50 plays for children of all ages and is included in the list of Britain’s top ten playwrights.
Further Info: Trish Hayden Drennan, Barnstorm, (056) 7751266 / trish@barnstorm.ie
Actor 1: Paul Curley
Actor 3: Shane O Reilly
Actor 2: Sarah Johnson
Actor 1: Paul Curley
Directed by: Philip Hardy
Deputy Stage Manager: Céire Hoey
Stage Manager: Steve Rider
Lighting Designer: Mark Galione
Set Designer: Carol Betera
Movement Director: Monika Bieniek
Graphic Designer: Alé Mercado
Costume Designer: Bernie McCoy
Deputy Stage Manager: Lynsey Moran
